In my math class we have been discussing how much students should be allowed to use their calculators. Are students really losing out by using them? Actually, as it turns out, studies have shown that on a calculator neutral test the students that did not use calculators much didn’t do as well as those that were experienced in the calculator. So what are the implications of using computers in English and Writing classes? I imagine that they are somewhat similar.
I read an article from the Town Crier Online out of Canada called “In with the new and out with the old” by Olivia Glauberzon. This article looks at two different perspectives, one where the teacher heavily emphasizes the use of computers in their high school and one where the college professor would rather not rely on technology.
I felt as though both had some strong arguments, but, just as with the calculator debate, some of the educators that are not fans of technology are overlooking some details. Glenn Loney of the University of Toronto argument is as follows:
“I know that high school eduactors (place) a great emphasis on higher-order learning,” he says. “It is worth noting lower-order learning is perfectly respectable, as well. It is useful for students to know something as well as do something”
Although I cannot totally disagree with Loney, I think that he is missing some of the point. I hope that most educators believe in using technology as an aid rather than a crutch. The other teacher from the article, Dave Fitzpatrick, makes many great points. One of which is that
“all the research shows students, boys in particular, write more, proof read and revise their work more … when they are able to use a digital tool like (Microsoft) Word”
I think it is a great point in noting that students produce better and more polished work than if they were to hand write their paper. It is much easier to revise and make changes through a program like Microsoft Word than it is to on paper.
Loney also argues that using technology is causing students to learn less skills like writing in cursive, reading a physical book and looking up things in the dictionary. He also argues that students should still learn how to memorize test material rather than using technological aids during exams.
In these arguments I definitely stand to agree that such skills are important to learn. But does incorporating technology into the curriculum dictate that a student will not learn such skills? My guess is no. Also, I highly believe that Loney is thinking that all schools, students and teachers have some sort of unlimited access to technology. I’m guessing that as in America, this is not true in Canada.
Regardless of how teachers administer exams in high school or college, the student must learn to use a program like Microsoft Word or another word processing program in order to be successful in college. Where is the harm of teaching them in high school before the student enters college?
As a future high school educator I believe that it is part of my job to prepare students for college or the real world. I believe that in part of my duty I must teach them how to use the computer. For a student not going to college, they must still learn how to create a resume. The student who goes to college will inevitably write hundreds of papers on a computer. However, it is also my job to teach my students how to write by hand, look up words in the dictionary and how to use their grammar rules with out computers and technology.
Glauberzon, Olivia. “In with the new and out with the old.” Town Crier Online 18 Sept. 2008.
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | education, technology, town crier online, word processing
Many aspects of your article reminded me of one of my own posts for this week. My article was about online reading versus traditional reading and the pros and cons. While the topics are clearly different than can be related in many ways. For instance, I see both sides of the “argument” in your article, as I did in my own. It was interesting to read people’s opinions on the use of computers for writing. I believe similarly to what you feel. Students should be aware of how to use computer programs, but should also practice hand writing on a regular basis. Technology is hard to avoid now-a-days and therefore computers should be incorporated into the classroom setting. While some teachers may not be technology savy they should still involve the computer in some way, even if less than their other collegues. I enjoyed your article and the comparsion with my own. I look forward to reading the articles which come from your blog!
I think that it is important to teach children the basics. I was doing my student observation in an elementary fourth grade class and I wrote something for the students to read in cursive writing and the student did not know how to read it. I told the teacher about the incident and she explained to me that teaching cursive writing was not longer apart of the curriculum. I thought that was the most ridiculous thing I had ever heard. She explained to me because of the computer era the administration felt it was unnecessary to teach the writing style. If all the basics are going to be forgotten about we might as well start teaching students to use calculators and other electronic devices in kindergarten. Instead of teaching the students to do mental addition, teach them to multiply, add, divide, and subtract large numbers in the first grade and kindergarten by using calculators. Since they are completing math manipulatives on the calculator there is no reason to delay the learning experience. That sounds crazy but that is where the curriculum seems to be headed. I do feel it is extremely imperative to teach about technology, but lets not stray from the basics because if we do we are going to create a generation of kids that will have very limited skills when it comes to manipulation strategies and thinking outside the box.
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